Creating memories: Sterling Heights wildlife artist David Bollman

At 13 years old he developed an artistic nature that started out as a hobby and has since evolved into a career.

“I think kids need to have hobbies,” said Bollman, who can be found these days tinkering in Michigan’s film industry where his skills as an artist and taxidermist are being used in such films as “Highland Park,” starring Danny Glover, and “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”

“They used a lot of my taxidermy from my building in the movie,” Bollman said. “In ‘OZ: The Great and Powerful,’ the opening scene is all my stuff. I painted all kinds of signs, banners, maps, sculptures and flowers. That first scene, it’s pretty amazing.”

On this day, Bollman was in his South Paw Studio surrounded by the tools, pins, and brushes of his trade, and with a great view of the Clinton River, immersed in a number of projects including a painting called, “Wolf” and a clay mockup of a salmon.

For Bollman, 57, who was raised in rural St. Clair Shores and a veteran of 43 years in taxidermy, each piece becomes a lasting memory that can be passed down through generations.

“I love it,” he said, holding up his new piece, ‘Wolf,’ which is a painting that is layered to give it a three-dimensional look. At one time, Bollman’s work was mostly paintings of the outdoors, hunting, dogs and wildlife, but with commissioned work being “whatever they want” his always-expanding mantra now involves experimenting. “I cut the shape out. I try to do things with more texture; more depth.”

Bollman is a proud conservationist, hunter, fisherman, and thankfully a painter. He has over 30 years of experience and is considered one of the finest portrait artists in the U.S., proven by his long list of accolades.

As for future projects, there are a lot of different things he can do. “I would like to do a monument sculpture for a city where salmon are big,” said Bollman.

David Bollman’s South Paw studio is located at 41240 Utica Road, Sterling Heights. For information, call 586-323-6464 or visit www.davidbollman.com.